Europa I, Card No 41 (RaceIntoSpace 1971)
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Card No. 41: Europa I
Europe's bid to gain independence in space began with the formation of the European Launcher Development Organisation in 1962. The object was to produce a rocket that would place a 1760-pound satellite into polar orbit at 300 miles altitude.
Britain contributed Blue Streak – the abandoned ballistic missile —while France and West Germany built new 2nd and 3rd stages, Coralie and Astris. Italy provided test satellites and Holland and Belgium telemetry and tracking equipment. Australia made available the Woomera rocket range.
Of 10 launchings only three were meant to orbit test-satellites. Blue Streak was successful on each occasion – a last launching still to take place at this writing – but Coralie and Astris failed twice.
